Forum Moderators: martinibuster
I'll start.
1.) I see that I can actually make a living doing something I have loved to do over the last 5 years for free - provide good content for my visitors.
2.) I am amazed at how the income has grown over the last 3 years. I started out when it was in the pilot stage in July 2003. That first year, I made about $10,000. In 2004, I made about $23,000. This year, I expect to make about $50,000+ if all goes well and I keep doing what I have always been doing consistently - adding good content; and Google keeps their end of the bargain by serving up relevant ads my visitors are interested in.
3.) I have learned the value of customer service. I see every visitor as someone who requires something my company and my site offers and it is always with kindness that I repond to each and every query, comment or complaint. I have learned that their time is a valuable commodity and everything I can do to make their experience on my site a good one - I have strived to do.
4.) I am learning about the power of viral marketing and word of mouth referrals.
5.) Having a company and a real income allows me the freedom to be creative, expand the possibilities in my business and be inventive.
6.) I have used this forum to learn what to do and what not to do as well as get ideas. It's an incredibly valuable site and forum. And Jenstar - just one of the tips you had doubled my daily income.
I could not have asked for anything better and more rewarding. :)
Anybody else?
What I was doing with my main site from Oct 2004 to March 2005- finding keywords, working with freelance writers- was the closest I've ever found to using almost all of my skills... the only time I've ever stayed up all night and wished I didn't have to sleep because of WORK!
We grossed $75k in 6 months. Not doing that well now, but I think I understand the new rules of the game and I'm adapting- taking a slow by long-term iron clad path... well as iron clad as anything is in the Wild Wild West...
Well I have to say, Google Adsense paid 2/3 of my new super-laptop.
It also helped me to diversify the income of my site (actually 10 to 20% is from AS), and saved me from begging and convincing clubs and bars owners (often internet iliterates) to pay a banner in my site(something I would hate to do at all).
A little* more financial freedom ...
* (well $18,000 last year and on way to doubling this year)
I would say it raised your blood pressure and pointed out anger management issues at a minimum :)"
Here is my reply: :) hahahaa... You might be right friend! *lol*
I have made it a point each and every year to give (a good chunk of) money away to all kinds of charitable organizations and schools and other groups. It gives me immense gratification personally to do this and really makes everything worthwhile.
I agree with your post immensely.
There is a lady who I work with who is a single mom and was really struggling last Christmas. AdSense gave me a good year, so giving back for me was an anonymous card to this woman with $500. and some nice thoughts about her. To this day, she still asks if it was me, and I play stupid.
I felt so good about it, that I will be doing this every year for the rest of my life, God willing. You have no idea what cloud you will ride on for weeks from doing something like this.
Yes, I bellyache about AdSense from time to time, but it has given me a lot, and I will keep working for more.
Mo.
2 person 15 days tour
Oh and it has just bought me a new Dell Inspiron laptop so now I don't even have to get out of bed! (joke)
